In a campaign report for Friday's NBC Today, correspondent
Peter Alexander touted a sound bite of President Obama telling CBS's
Charlie Rose: "...the nature of this office is also to tell a story to
the American people." Alexander added that the President wanted to tell,
"A story that gives Americans a sense of 'unity' and 'optimism'..."

Immediately following that glowing description of Obama's communications style, Alexander lamented: "But Romney, who's relentlessly attacked the President for mishandling the economy, quickly pounced: 'Being president is not about telling stories,' Romney said in a statement, 'Being president is about leading.'"

What
Alexander failed to mention was the Obama campaign's idea of "unity"
and "optimism" is accusing Romney of being a felon. Something which
Obama's deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter did on Thursday[1], as she ranted about Romney's time as CEO of Bain Capital.

Alexander did note how contentious the campaign was becoming, but only
in general terms that put Romney on defense: "Still, with this campaign
becoming bitterly personal Thursday, both sides accusing the other of
lying, Romney was once again forced to defend his business
experience..."

Seizing on rumors that former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was
high on Romney's short list of vice presidential running mates,
Alexander speculated on potential GOP discord: "Rice has been seen as a
long shot, because her pro-choice views on abortion clash with the
Republican Party's conservative base.....many conservatives who already
doubt Romney's conservative credentials would obviously be deeply upset
if Rice were chosen."

Here is a full transcript of the July 13 report:

7:00AM ET TEASE:

MATT LAUER: Could it be Condi? Mitt Romney closer to naming his running
mate and there's a new report that former Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice is near the top of the list. This as former President
Bill Clinton opens up to Savannah about the state of the presidential
race.

7:04AM ET SEGMENT:

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: In the presidential race we're learning more about
when Mitt Romney will announce his choice for a running mate and just
who that might be. NBC's Peter Alexander is here with the details.
Peter, good morning to you.

PETER ALEXANDER: Savannah, nice to see you this morning. The intensity
has really picked up in this race, with another furious back and forth
Thursday. And now add into the mix the new VP speculation as well. Could
Condoleezza Rice be Mitt Romney's running mate? This as the President
makes a campaign swing through the critical battleground of Virginia
today, after opening up about his biggest mistake as president.

ALEXANDER: With the latest polls showing the presidential race neck and
neck and the Obama and Romney campaigns at one another's throats again
Thursday, the President made a rare concession in an interview with CBS
News.

BARACK
OBAMA: The mistake of my first couple of years was thinking that this
job was just about getting the policy right. And that's important. But,
you know, the nature of this office is also to tell a story to the
American people.

ALEXANDER: A story that gives Americans a sense of "unity" and
"optimism," the President said. But Romney, who's relentlessly attacked
the President for mishandling the economy, quickly pounced: "Being
president is not about telling stories," Romney said in a statement,
"Being president is about leading." Still, with this campaign becoming
bitterly personal Thursday, both sides accusing the other of lying,
Romney was once again forced to defend his business experience,
responding with this new ad.

Late Thursday, the Romney campaign tried to switch the topic, blasting
this fundraising e-mail to supporters, offering them a chance to meet
Romney's choice for vice president. And at almost exactly the same time,
the conservative Drudge Report website, with close ties to the Romney
campaign, insisted a surprise candidate is near the top of Romney's VP
list, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Rice has been seen as a
long shot, because her pro-choice views on abortion clash with the
Republican Party's conservative base. And in March she denied any
interest in serving as vice president during an interview with David
Gregory.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE: It's not for me. I love policy. I love public service. I'm awfully happy doing what I'm doing.

ALEXANDER: During a $4 million fundraising swing through Wyoming hosted
by Dick Cheney Thursday, Romney praised the former vice president as a
"great American leader," but didn't say a word about his own plans for a
running mate. And we reached out to the campaign, the Romney campaign,
late last night. A spokesperson told us they would not comment on the VP
process, that's what they consistently tell us. But many conservatives
who already doubt Romney's conservative credentials would obviously be
deeply upset if Rice were chosen. As one conservative commentator
tweeted, Savannah, last night: "Multiple assurances from team Romney
tonight that Condi is not happening for VP." It would still be a big
surprise if she was the choice.

GUTHRIE: Okay, so it's over before it begins. Peter Alexander, thank you so much.

-- Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center. Click here[2] to follow Kyle Drennen on Twitter.

Federal employees and military personnel can donate to the Media Research Center through the Combined Federal Campaign or CFC. To donate to the MRC, use CFC #12489. Visit the CFC website for more information about giving opportunities in your workplace.